#NVRD – Join the drive and register to vote today

On Thursday 5 May 2016 voters in Cambridge will go to the polls to elect 14 of the 42 city councillors in Cambridge and a Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire. Anyone who isn’t registered to vote won’t be able to take part and have their say.

The deadline to register to vote in these elections is Monday 18 April 2016. While there is still time, it’s running out quickly. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to apply to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. It’s a chance to join the thousands of people across the UK being encouraged to register this week.

Cambridge City Council’s electoral services team are running a number of activities across the week to encourage residents to register. These include working with local sixth form colleges and the universities to get students registered.

Antoinette Jackson, Electoral Registration Officer for Cambridge City Council said: “Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives. It would be great if  people living in Cambridge use the national voter registration drive this week to spread the message among their family and friends that it only takes a few minutes to register to vote online.”

Ben Brook, Head of Performance and English Regional Teams at the Electoral Commission, said: “National voter registration drive exists because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible, but has not yet registered to vote, does so. It’s easy and quick to do online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Young people, students and people who move frequently are much less likely to be registered to vote so #NVRD is as important as ever.”

Residents can get a paper copy of the registration form or find out more information by contacting the electoral services team on 01223 457048 or elections@cambridge.gov.uk

Notes

The national voter registration drive runs between 1 and 7 February 2016 and is led by Bite the Ballot.  

Bite the Ballot (www.bitetheballot.co.uk) aims to ensure that young people are engaged in the political process and inspired to become change-makers.

The #NVRD campaign is led by Bite the Ballot and they work with partners, like the Electoral Commission and local authorities, to engage young people and encourage them to register to vote. There will be events and activities across the country being organised by schools, charities and other organisations.

On social media the hashtag will be #NVRD and Bite the Ballot also use #TakePower

National voter registration drive exists because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible, but has not yet registered, does so. Young people and students are much less likely to be registered to vote so #NVRD is as important as ever.

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Contacts

Antoinette Jackson, Chief Executive & Electoral Registration Officer, email: antoinette.jackson@cambridge.gov.uk, tel: 01223 457001
Gary Clift, Democratic Services Manager, email: gary.clift@cambridge.gov.uk, 01223 457011

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